Double dispenser for dispensing disposable paper sheets

ABSTRACT

In a double dispenser for dispensing disposable paper sheets comprising two supply units arranged on top of one another, each supply unit includes a stacking magazine containing a folded paper web, an advancing unit for moving the paper web from the stacking magazine to a dispensing unit and a cutting unit for cutting disposable paper sheets from the paper web to be dispensed by the dispensing unit, the dispensing units being arranged closely adjacent each other between the two supply units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention resides in a double dispenser for the alternative dispensing of dispensable paper.

During events attended by a large amount of people for example a football game, the visits to the sanitary installations are concentrated during the event intermissions. During these event intermissions, the visitors should be able to use the sanitary installations without encountering empty or inoperative toilet paper or towel dispensers. However, because of the high traffic volume during event intermissions, refilling or servicing of the dispensers is not possible during such rush periods.

Double dispensers are known from “Planungsinformation 2005, Spendersysteme für die Waschraumhygiene” of the HTS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Geschäftsbereich CWS, page 6. Herein two alternately operating towel dispensers are shown arranged in side by side relationship: If two persons standing side-by-side trying to obtain a towel from these machines only one of them receives a towel at a time. The other must wait until the first person has left the dispenser.

The diameter of the towel rolls determines the depth of the dispensers and consequently the needed space. With a small depth, the dispenser needs to be refilled frequently which results in a relatively low availability. Upon refilling, the empty plastic or carton rolls carrying the paper sheets need to be discarded.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple double dispenser with high availability which is easy to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a double dispenser for dispensing disposable paper sheets comprising two supply units arranged on top of one another, each supply unit includes a stacking magazine containing a folded paper web, an advancing unit for moving the paper web from the stacking magazine to a dispensing unit and a cutting unit for cutting disposable paper sheets from the paper web to be dispensed by the dispensing unit, the dispensing units being arranged closely adjacent each other between the two supply units.

The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention on the basis of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows schematically a paper sheet dispenser in a bathroom,

FIG. 2 shows the paper sheet dispenser in a cross-sectional view, and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the paper sheet dispensing area of the paper sheet dispenser.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a side view of a double dispenser 10 for disposable paper sheets or paper towels which dispenser 10 is mounted for example to the wall 2 of a bathroom of a football stadium.

The paper sheet dispenser 10 has for example a height of 1100 mm, a depth normal to the wall 2 on which it is mounted of 265 mm and a width of 320 mm. At its front face 11 facing the bathroom, it has two dispensing slots 31, 131 for dispensing the disposable paper sheets 75, 175. The two dispensing slots 31 have at least essentially the same dispensing direction 32, 132. The distance between the dispensing slots 31, 131 is for example 60 mm; but it may be up to 300 mm. The paper sheets have for example a width of 200 mm and a length of 300 mm.

The dispenser 10 for disposable paper sheets may also be a toilet paper dispenser. Then the width of the disposable paper sheets is for example 95 mm and the length is 250 mm. Also, a use for other disposable paper sheets is possible.

The paper sheet dispenser 10 shown in FIG. 1 is for example so arranged that the imaginary center plane between the dispensing slots 31, 131 is disposed 1300 mm above the floor 3 of the bathroom. The distance between the bottom side 12 of the dispenser 10 and the floor 3 is in this embodiment is for example 750 mm. Below the dispenser 10, a paper basket 5 is arranged which, in the setup shown has a height of 600 mm. However, the paper basket may also be integrated into the double dispenser 10.

Above the upper dispensing slot 31 and below the lower dispensing slot 131, the dispenser 10 is provided with large doors 13, 14, which, in the given case, have each a height of 500 mm. They can be pivoted open at least to such an extent that the stacking magazines 41, 141, see FIG. 2, can easily be filled. The opening width of the doors 13, 14 is for example at least 250 mm. The hinges 16 of the doors 13, 14 may be arranged so as to be hidden.

Between the doors 13 and the dispensing slot 31 and between the door 14 and the dispensing slot 131, a contact-less switch 83, 181, for example an infrared switch, is arranged in each case. Under certain conditions, one of the switches 83, 183 can be omitted. In the representation of FIG. 1, an operator 1 operates the upper contactless switch 83. The operation of this switch 83 has the result that the double dispenser 10 dispenses for example a disposable paper towel from the upper dispensing slot 31.

At one side of the dispenser 10, two battery box lids 17 are arranged. They cover each a battery containment in which for example standard batteries 18 (see FIG. 2) are arranged. The battery containments are for example accessible from both sides of the dispenser 10. Instead of two battery containment covers 17, the dispenser 10 may have a single battery containment cover 17 which covers for example two battery containments. If the dispenser 10 is connected to a power supply such battery containments may be omitted.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the double dispenser 10. The dispenser 10 in this case includes a housing 15 in which two supply units 30, 130 are arranged on top of one another. The housing 15 is provided with a transverse reinforcement 19 extending between the two supply units 30, 130. The housing 15 also may comprise two partial housings wherein each of the partial housings accommodates a dispensing unit 30, 130.

Each of the two supply units 30, 130 in this embodiment comprises a stacking magazine 41, 141, an advancing unit 51, 151, a cutting unit 71, 171 and a dispensing unit 81, 181.

The two stacking magazines 41, 141 are squared hollow spaces. On the bottom walls 44, 144 of each a storage container 45, 15 is disposed which abuts a stop 46, 146. The height of the storage container 45, 145 is for example 450 mm. In each, a folded paper web 42, 142 of a length of for example 300 mm is disposed. An individual fold sheet 43, 143 of the paper web 42, 142 has in the present embodiment a length of for example 150 mm and a width of for example 200 mm.

The advancing units 51, 151 consist herein of a paper receiver 52, 152, a transport channel 58, 158 and a transport device 65, 165. FIG. 2 shows for example a section of the advancing unit 51 of the upper supply unit 30 and the advancing unit 151 of the lower supply unit 130.

The respective paper receivers 52, 152 are arranged above the storage containers 45, 145 in such a way that they are easily accessible when the doors 13, 14 are opened. They are arranged for example 50 mm from the front side 11 of the dispenser 10. The paper receivers 52, 152 have each a transport roller 53, 153 by which the paper web 42, 142, which is in contact with an engagement surface 55, 153 is pulled into the respective transport channel 58, 158. The transport roller 53, 153 is in this case for example spring-biased toward a guide structure 56, 156, along the paper web slides or rollers. For the insertion of the paper web 42, 142, it is placed into contact with the respective engagement surface 55, 155 and is then moved upwardly along the engagement surface 55, 155 and into the respective transport channel 53, 153 and finally into the respective transport channel 58, 158. Each of the two transport rollers 53, 153 is driven for example by an electric motor which is not shown.

The transport channels 58, 158 guide the paper webs 42, 142 from the paper receivers 52, 152 to the transport devices 65, 165. The transport channels 58, 158 comprise straight channels 59 and reversing channels 62. These are narrow passages with a cross-section which is only slightly wider than the cross-section of the paper webs 42, 142. The inner walls of the transport channels 58, 158 are smooth. In this way, the paper webs 42, 142 guided in the transport channels does not get stuck in the channels.

In the upper supply unit 30, the transport channels 58 direct the paper web 42 from the paper receiver 52 to the rear wall 21 of the housing 15. Here, the paper web 42 is reversed and is guided via the transport channel 61 to the area of the housing 15 below the stacking magazine 41. By another reversing channel 62, the paper web 42 is then guided to the front side 11 of the housing 15 and reaches there the transport device 65. This transport device 65 comprises for example two rollers 66, 67 of which at least the lower roller 67 is supported so as to be movable normal to the paper web 42. As soon as the paper web 42 activates a detector 68, for example, a reflection light barrier detector 68, the lower roller 67 is biased toward the upper roller 66 and the transport device 65 takes on the movement of the paper web 42 transported so far by the paper receiver 52. For example, the transport roller 54 of the paper receiver 52 may then switched to a freewheeling mode. The transport roller 53 may then be moved by the paper web and may be slightly braked in order to hold the paper web 42 in the transport channels 58 under slight tension.

In the lower supply unit 130, the transport channels 158 are similarly arranged as they are described in connection with the upper supply unit 30. The transport device 165 in this case, however, is disposed above the stacking magazine 141 so that a channel (61) along the back wall 21 is not needed.

The respective active transport unit 65, 165 moves the paper web 42, 142 further along and over the cutting device 71, 171. Herein, the length of the dispensed paper web 42, 142 is monitored for example by means of a rotation sensor integrated into the drive of the rollers 66, 166, a travel distance measuring system or a timing member. When a predetermined value of the measuring system has been reached, the drive for the transport system 65, 165 is shut off. The length of the paper web 42, 142 to be moved each time is to be adjustable between 150 mm and 300 mm.

At the same time or after the transport device 65, 165 has been switched off, the cutting unit 71, 171 is operated. The cutting unit comprises for example a cutting knife 72, 172 for example a roller knife and a die 73, 173.

The knife cuts the paper web 42, 142 thereby to separate a disposable paper sheet 75, 75 from the paper web 42, 142. The disposable paper sheet 75, 175 is then disposed for example in the dispensing unit 81, 181 where it does not project from the housing 15, see the upper supply unit 30 in FIG. 3.

The dispensing units 81, 181 comprises each for example a pair of transport bands 84, 85; 184, 185, which are arranged on top of one another, detectors 82, 182 and the contactless switches 83, 183. The transport bands 82, 182 extend each around a drive roller 86, 186. One of each pair of transport bands is adjustable relative to the other.

Between each pair of transport bands 84, 85; 184, 185 a disposable paper sheet 75, 175 is disposed. Upon actuation of one of the contactless switches 83, 183 by the operator 1 the adjustable transport band 85, 185 is pressed against the driven transport band 84, 184, the drive roller 86, 186 is activated and the disposable paper sheet 75, 175 is moved in dispensing direction 32, 132 out of the dispensing slot 31, 131.

Between the dispensing units 81, 181 and the dispensing slots 31, 131, there is for example a detector 82, 182 such as a light beam detector. This detector provides for example to the advancing unit 51, 151, the signal to move the next area of the paper web 42, 142 into the dispensing unit 81, 181.

As soon as the operator 1 actuates one of the two switches 83, 183 first for example the upper dispensing unit 82 is activated. If the detector 82 does not sense the presence of a paper sheet within a predetermined period of for example 0.5 sec., the stacking magazine 41 is either empty or the paper transport is blocked so that no disposable paper sheet 75 can be dispensed. By way of an electric circuit then the procedure is switched over to the lower dispenser unit 130 so that the lower dispenser unit takes over and dispenses a disposable paper sheet 175. When the lower stacking magazine 141 is empty or a failure occurs in connection with the lower dispensing unit 130, the procedure is switched over to the upper dispensing unit 30 which in the meantime has been serviced.

In this way, it is made sure that at any time only one disposable paper sheet 75, 175 is dispensed by the dispenser 10. With such an alternative dispensing of the disposable paper sheets 75, 175, 600 m of paper web that is for example 2000 disposable paper sheets, each having a length of 300 mm, can be dispensed between refilling.

If the magazine 41, 141 is empty or the transport unit 51, 151 is blocked a radio signal is sent for example to a central surveillance location so that the dispenser 10 can immediately be refilled or serviced. In order to be able to distinguish between failure sources, additionally a filling state indicator may be provided on the stacking magazine 41, 141. This may be an optical indicator or an optical or mechanical filling state sensor.

If the operator is impatient and pulls the disposable paper sheet 75, 175 out of the dispenser 10, the dispenser unit 10 will not block or fail as the disposable paper sheet is already cut from the paper web. If the paper sheet is ripped in the dispensing unit 80 180 the remaining rest piece is still moved through the dispenser. However, if the dispensing unit is blocked, this is detected by the detector 82, 182. The electronic circuit then causes a switch-over to the respective other supply unit 130, 30.

The two supply units 30,130 include for example power supplies such as batteries 18. During normal operation, the batteries are regularly exchanged. In the present embodiment, they are so controlled that, with a drop in the output voltage below a threshold value of one power supply, a switch-over to the respective other power supply is initiated. At the same time, a radio signal is sent to the central surveillance location indicating the need for an exchange of the empty power supply.

The supply unit 10 and its operational components 30-186 can also be of a design different from that described herein. For example, the dispensing units 81, 181 and for the cutting units 81, 181 may be integrated into the advancing unit 51, 151. The respective advancing unit 51, 151 then moves the paper web out of the housing 15 by an adjustable length before the paper sheet 75, 175 is cut off.

The paper webs 42, 142 are stored for example in a storage location and, for refilling the dispenser 10 are transported by a transport cart to a large sanitary installation. Because of the squared shape of the pleated paper webs 42, 142 the required storage and transport space for the paper webs is relatively small. The filling degree of the storage and of the transport cart can therefore be above 90%.

For the refilling of the dispenser 10 for example, the upper door 13 is opened and a box 45 including a paper web 42 is placed into the housing. The free end of the paper web is then pulled out of the box and is placed into the paper receiver 52. The paper web 42 is then pulled in for example automatically as soon as the paper web 42 comes into contact with the engagement surface 55. The paper web insertion may also be initiated manually for example by actuating an insertion key.

Instead of placing a box into the housing, a new paper web 42, 142 may also be placed under a paper web 42, 142 already present in the stacking magazine and may be glued to that web. Other solutions are however possible. To allow this, the stacking magazines 41, 141 may be for example 10% higher so that an early refilling is possible. The stacking magazine may also have different heights.

For servicing the dispenser 10, the mechanical parts 30-185 are easily accessible upon opening of the doors 13, 14 or by removal of the side walls. The transport channels 58, 158 can for example be pivoted open or are removable.

As a result, the double dispenser 10 can be operated in a simple and safe manner and operates with high reliability providing for a high availability. 

1. A double dispenser for dispensing disposable paper sheets, comprising: two supply units (30, 130) arranged on top of one another and having dispensing units (82, 182) each having essentially the same dispensing direction (32, 132), each supply unit (30, 130) including a stacking magazine (41, 141) for receiving a folded paper web (42, 142), an advancing unit (51, 151) for transporting the paper web (42, 142) from the stacking magazine (41, 141) to the dispensing units (82, 182) and a cutting unit (71, 171) for cutting disposable paper sheets (75, 175) from the paper web (42, 142), the dispensing units (81, 181) being arranged closely adjacent each other at a distance of less than 300 mm.
 2. The double dispenser according to claim 1, wherein each advancing unit (51, 151) includes a paper receiver (52, 152) which is arranged above the respective stacking magazine (41, 141).
 3. The double dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the effective length of the dispensing units (81, 181) is at least as large as the length of the disposable paper sheets (75, 175).
 4. The double dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, at least in the dispensing units (81, 181), detectors (82, 182) for the radio monitoring of the dispenser (10) are arranged.
 5. The double dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, with a stacking magazine (41, 141) empty or with a malfunction of an advancing unit (51, 151) or of a dispensing unit (81, 181) of one of the dispensers, the operation is switchable to the other dispenser.
 6. The double dispenser according to claim 1, wherein at least one dispensing unit (81, 181) is operable by activation of a contact less switch (83, 183).
 7. The double dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the maximum stacking height in a stacking magazine (41, 141) is at least 450 mm.
 8. The double dispenser according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the stacking magazines (41, 141) includes a folded paper web (42, 142).
 9. The double dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the length of the folded paper web (42, 142) is originally at least 200 m. 